Knitting-machine



(NoModel.) ss'neets-sheet 1.

0.- WILSoN.

. KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 528,838.A Patented Nov.' 8, 1894. @73% D) al- T n /JL j 'j' Mfg l 40i6 l *J2 /'55 52;@ EY .650 y EB L55- 5 ai Y lll, lilley g Z- 1 w 5 l l H"I, w N Z5 1 S 5)? 56 Z816 l j;

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Attorney,

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets--Sheet 2.

O. WILSON.

KNITTING MACHINE. No. 528,888. Patentd Nov. 8,1884.

Witnesses Inventor.

Attorney.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

0. WILSON.

KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 528,838. Patented Nov. 6, 1894.

Inventor.

Witnesses 1 Attorney.

OLIVER IVILSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- THIRD TOARCHIBALD F. KENT, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

KNITTING-IVIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 528,838, dated NovemberG, 1894.

Application led May 24,1893. Serial No. 475,338. (No model.) I

.companying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention is especially, though not exclusively,applicable to thatclass ot' circular knitting machines termed ribbers,by which is produceda series of connected rib leg portions for hose; my object in thisconnection being to produce a leg portion in which the' knee part isreinforced or supplemented by an additional thread without impairing,but

rather increasing, the elasticity of the web.

This object I attain by the combination With thread reinforcingmechanism, of devices whereby the reinforced stitches comprising theknee part of the web are knit successively in slack courses. Thethread-reinforcing mechanism herein set out is of novel construction,and applicable to any machine in which an additional or supplementalthread ,l 1s periodically thrown into and out of action as willhereinafter appear.

In the annexed drawings, FigureI is a side elevation of a knittingmachine embodying my invention, the parts being shown in the positionwhich they occupy during the knitting of the plain rib portion of theWeb. Fig. II is a partial elevation of the head of the machine enlarged,showing the pattern chain mechanism, the parts being inthe positionwhich they occupy during the knitting of the knee portion of the web.Fig. III is a separate view of the pattern chain for operating thereinforcing thread devices. Fig. IV is a partial plan of the head of themachine showing the mechanism for operating the stitchcam. Fig. V is adetail of the stitch cam and adjuncts, in elevation. Fig. VI isa view ofthe rod upon which the stitch cam is supported. Fig. VII is aperspective view of the thread-guide devices. Fig. VIII is a detail ofthe thread uniting devices, the full and dotted lines indicating saiddevices in their open and closed positions,respectively. Fig. IX isanelevation of the sprocket and burr wheel shaft, detached. Fig. X is aview of theratchet vwheels detached. Fig. XI is a diagram of the.knitted web as it is delivered from the machine.

The numeral l represents the supporting frame of a rib-knitting machineof a construction Well known to knitting artisans; 2 being the needlecylinder with its needles, and 3 the rotatable cam cylinder providedWith the stitch-cam 4 therein. for actuating the vertical needles in theneedle cylinder. The position of this cam determines the throw of theneedles and hence the length of the stitches and thekind of coursesproduced. It is controlled by a suitable pattern chain 5 with which it-is connected by appropriate mechanism, which in the several varietiesot' machine differs in matters of detail. The design in all thesemachines is to effect the knitting of a tubular web, such for example,as that indicated in the diagram Fig. XI,

that is to-say, to form a welt a, a body of plain rib workB, a loosecourse lof "stitches c, several courses of plain rib d and a secondloose coursewofstitches e, following which is a repetition of thesepartsjust mentioned. The connected series are severed on the loosecourse ve nearest the welt, the object of the adjacent loosecourse cbeing to facilitate the transferring of the leg portion onto the needlesof a plain Vcircular machine to accomplish the knitting of the ankle andfoot portions.

'In themachine shown in drawings the stitch cam 4 is secured to a shortrod 6 which is held normally in a raised position by a suit` ablydisposed spring 7. When the rod is in this position the cam actuates thevertical needles to eect the formation of normal stitches but when therod is depressed against the action of the spring, the cam imparts agreater throw to the needlesV and thus effects the formation of longeror slack stitches. On the upper end of this rod is abevel-faced head S,upon which is adapted to actV at predeter` mined intervals one arm of acrank lever 9, whereby said rod, and therewithY the` stitchcam, may bedepressed. The longer armIO of this leverprojects through an opening inthe side of the cam cylinder. On its pivot pin is secured a pinion l1,which engages with IOO tasses an adjacent pinion 12, to the shaft ofwhich l is affixed an arm 13 which extends beyond the side of thecylinder somewhat below the arm 10. Thus by alternately striking thearms 10 and 18, the lever 9 will be moved to and fro to effect thedepression or elevation of the rod G with its stitch cam. The arms areactuated at the proper periods by means of a circular head 14 on avertically reciprocative rod 15 fitted to the base of the machine. Thelower end of this rod is supported upon an arm 16 which is secured to astud 17 to which is secured a forwardly extending arm 18 that rests uponand is governed by the links of the pattern chain 5. This chaincomprises a series of relatively disposed links of varying height whichare supported upon a sprocket wheel 19 to which an intermittent rotarymotion is imparted by suitable pawl and ratchet mechanism hereinafterdescribed. When the machine is knitting plain ribbed work, the chain 5is at rest, the arm 18 being supported upon a medium link so as tomaintain the head 14 in the path of the upper arm 10 and thus allow thestitch cam to remain in its normal or elevated position.

Preparatory to the knitting of a slack course (the parts being in theposition represented in Fig. l), the chain is operated, thereby bringinga low link w below the arm 18, and caus ing the latter to descendsufficiently far to`V` allow the head 14 to drop into the path of thelower arm 13. Hence as the cam cylinder revolves the latter arm abutsagainst the head and effects the action of theylever 9 upon the inclinedface of the head8 to depress the stitch cam. A slack coursey of stitchesis thus produced. This done, the chain is moved the distance of anotherlink,

whereupon the arm 18 rides upon a medium link and is returned to itsoriginal position, the head 14 thereupon entering the path of the upperarm 10 and effecting the release of the stitch cam for normal knitting.Aseries w of these medium links is brought success` ively below the arm18 to effect the knitting of several plain rib courses, whereupon a lowlink y is moved below said arm and the knit` ting of another slackcourse accomplished. Following this low link is a series of high andmedium faced links z which control the action of the mechanism to effectthe formation of the welt. As such mechanism has no bearing upon thepresent invention, no descrip; tion thereof is deemed necessary. Thewelt being formed, a series of medium links x is brought into play, soas to occasion the knit-y ting of a plain rib portion, thereupon a lowlink 'yf is brought below the arm 18 and the motion of the chainarrested until a predetermined number of slack courses has beenproduced. This done, the chain is again actuated to bring a series w ofmedium links below the arm 18 to continue the knitting of a plain ribportion. Following,r this series is the low link w which effects theknitting of the loose course previously described. The above operationsare repeated as often as desired to form the connected series of legblanks.

Heretofore, the intermediate portion b of the web has been formed byordinary stitches similarily to the adjacent portions b2 said portion bcomprising the knee part of the stocking leg. An additional thread hassometimes been thrown in at this knee portion for the purpose ofthickening or reinforcing the same, but such thickening has impaired theelasticity of the Web. I find, however, that by knitting the kneeportion b in slack courseswith the addition of this thickeningthreadthis portion of the web is not only reinforced but rendered moreelastic than formerly. Although any suitable mechanism for applying thereinforcing thread may be employed, I prefer the construction shown inthe drawings and hereinafter described.

'lo secure good results the degree of slackness of the stitches in theknee portion should be somewhat less than that usually made in the slackcourses c, e. yielding quality of the fabricwill be too great. To attainthis end in the machine herein considered, I provide the under face ofthe head 14 with a smaller ring 2O which is brought at the proper timeinto the path of the arm .13 so as to effect the requisite depression ofthe stitch cam, the low link y being of course slightly higher thanthose w y that are brought into action preparatory to the knitting ofthe single slack courses c, c. By removing this ring 2O and substitutingtherefor one of less or greater diameter, the degree of slackness andelasticity of the stitches may be varied, as desired.

The sprocket wheel upon which the chain 5 is supported, is actuated bymeans of a pawl and ratchet mechanism under the control of a chain 21 onan adjacent sprocket wheel 21, the shaft 22 of which is operated by theoutdrawn knitted web engaging a burr wheel 23 on said shaft, in theusual manner. This pawl `and ratchet mechanism in the present machine isof the following construction: 2l, 25 are two ratchet Wheels securedupon the transverse shaft 26 to which the sprocket wheel 19 is secured,and 26, 27 are two pawls adapted to coact with said ratchet wheelsrespectively. These pawls are pivoted t0 a bar 28 which is positivelyreciprocated by appropriate devices not necessary to herein show ordescribe. The pawl 26 rests upon the longer arm of a bell-crank lever29, which is fulcrumed at a point 30 on the main frame of the machine,the shorter arm of said lever being equipped with a roller 3l that restsupon the links of the chain 21. The wheel 24 has a single tooth tin itsperiphery While the adjacent ratchet Wheel 25 has a continuous pe-`ripheral series of teeth interrupted by a blank space 32, this blankspace being arranged in line horizontally with the single tooth in theOtherwise the elastic or IOO IIO

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wheel 24. By properly moving this crank 1ever 29, the pawl 26 may beraised above and out of action with the tooth of the ratchet wheel. Thisbeing done, when the pawl 27 which rotates the ratchet wheel 25 reachesthe blank space in the latter, said wheel, and

therefore the shaft, will notbe operated. This shaft willremainquiescent until the pawl 26 is dropped into engagement with thetooth in the wheel 24, whereupon the latter will be ad- Vancedsufficiently far to bring the teeth of the adjacent wheel 25 intoengagement with its pawl.

The chain 2O is provided with a series of relatively disposed plane andstudded links, which act upon the lever 29 at the properintervals tocontrol the operation of the pawl and ratchet mechanism in accordancewith the order4 prescribed by the several links in the chain 5hereinfore described.

I shall now describe the novel mechanism for automatically introducingthe additional thread during the knitting of the series of slack coursesin the knee portion of the web, reference being had to Figs. I, III, VIIand VIII ofthe drawings.

Upon the driven shaft 22 is secured a sprocket wheel 33 which carries achain 34 having a series of relatively arranged high and low links, saidwheel and chain thus being driven simultaneously with the wheel 21a andits chain. Resting upon the chain 34 is the free end of an arm 35 theouter end of which is pivoted to a hanger 36 depending, in thisinstance, from the usual projecting arm 37 upon which the bobbins aresupported. 'lhus said pivoted arm will be raised or lowered inaccordance with the chain links in action therewith.

Bearing upon the arm 35 is the lower end of a vertically movable rod 38which extends through and above the usual support 39 that carries thedepending guide eyes or hooks yfor the passage of the knitting threads,this support being affixed to a vertical rod or post 40 rising from thearm 37. On the projecting upper end of the movable rod 3S is secured acollar 4l with which is pivotally connected one end of a horizontallever 42 that is fulcrunied on a vertical post 43. Depending from thefree end of this lever is an arm 44 on the lower end of which is a V-shaped portion 45, the wholev being preferably constructed from a singlepiece of wire bent into proper shape. In the rear of the portion 45extends a transverse arm 46 which is secured to the rod 38 at a pointbelow the support 39. `This arm is also preferably formed of properlybent wire, as shown.

Attached to the support 39 is a depending rectangular frame 47 throughwhich the vertical rod extends, the latter being provided with a Weightor collar 48 which is contained within the frame. From the forward endof the support 39 depends a vertical arm 49 which terminates in anangular extension 50.

the tubes 5l, 52 being separated by the eX- tension 50 before theirfinal introduction to the needles. The reinforcing thread 54 is runthrough the frame 47 below the weight 48, then over the arm 46, thencethrough the V-shaped end 45 to and within the tube 5l.

The above is a description of the preferred form of my thread feedingmechanism. Its operation is as follows: During the knitting of the plainportion of the web, the low links of the chain 34 are successivelybrought below the arm 35, the latter, and perforce the rod 38, thusbeing maintained in a down position. When the parts are in thisposition, the weight on said rod bears upon the reinforcing thread andclamps it against the opposed face of the frame 47. Hence the saidthread is not delivered -to the needles. Preparatory to the commencementof the knee portion, the high links of the chain are brought below thepivoted arm, thereby raising the latter and the rod 38, and of course,releasing the reinforcing thread. At the same time, the upward movementof the rod raises the arm 46, and through the action of the lever 42depresses the V-shaped head 45 thereby drawing the several threads intothe apex of the latter. This done, the main knitting threads by theirfrictional contact` with the reinforcing thread, carry the latter to theneedles. When the requisite amount of reinforced work has beentinished,the low links are brought below the pivoted arm, whereupon the partsassuming their original or down position, the weight 48 drops upon andchecks the reinforcing thread. The nstant the progress of this thread ischecked it is broken off by the strain of the needles, and the machineproceeds with the knitting of plain rib work. The loose end o f thereinforcing thread during the operation of the machine, frays off for aportion of its length but not sufficiently far to aifect the action ofthe arm 46 and head 45 the next time said thread is brought into play.

The object of separating the main threads on their passage to theneedles, is to prevent them from twisting during the rotation of theyarn carrier. Should such twisting occur, these threads would catchtheclamped reinforcing thread, and result in the breaking of all thethreadt.

Having thus described my invention, I claim* l. Ina knitting machine,the combination with the needle support, the cam carrier and its stitchcam, of provisions whereby the latter is actuated at predeterminedintervals to eect the knitting of normal courses, single slack courses,and medium slack courses,

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thread-reinforcing devices,and pattern mechanism for operating the samesimultane ously with the knitting of the medium slack courses,substantially as described.

2. In a knitting machine, the combination with the needle support, thecam carrier and its cam, of a V-shaped head through which the mainknitting threads and an additional or reinforcing thread extend, a thread support in rear of said head, means for sustaining said head andsupport, and means for operat- `ing the same so as to draw the threadsinto the apex or reduced portion of the V-shaped head; substantially asdescribed.

3. In a knitting machine, the combination with the needle support, thecam carrier and its cam, of a V-shaped head through which the mainknitting threads and an additional or reinforcing thread extend, athread support in rear of said head, means for sustaining said head andsupport and means for operating the same so as to draw the threads intothe apex or reduced portion of the V- shaped head, together with meansfor checking the advance of the reinforcing thread at predeterminedintervals; substantially as described.

4. In a knitting machine the combination with the needle support, thecam carrier and its cam, of a reciprocative rod, a Vshaped head andthread supporting arm connected therewith, and means for reciprocatingsaid rod at predetermined intervals whereby said head and arm are movedin respect to ,each other; substantially as described.

5. In a knitting machine the combination with the needle support, thecam carrier and its cam, of a reciprocative rod, a V-shaped head andthread supporting arm connected therewith, and means for reciprocatingsaid rod at predetermined intervals whereby said head and arm are movedin respect to each other, together with the frame through which said rodextends, and thel collar or Weight on the rod within said frame;substantially as described.

6. In a knitting machine, the combination with the needle support, thecam carrier and its cam, of a V-shaped head through which the mainknitting threads and an additional or reinforcing thread extend, athread support in rear of said head, means for sustaining said head andsupport, and means for operating the same so as to draw the threads intothe apex or reduced portion of the V- shaped head, together with meansfor separating the main threads at a point in advance of the said head;substantially as described.

7. In a knitting machine, the combination with the needle support, thecam carrier and its stitch cam, of devices mounted on said carrier andadapted to be actuated to increase the throw of the stitch cam, a headfor actuating said devices to effect the knitting of single slackcourses, and a ring or abutment adjacent to said head, for actuatingsaid devices to knit a series of medium slack courses, together withpattern mechanism for operating said head and ring or abutment atpredetermined intervals; substantially as described.

8. In a knitting machine, the combination with the needle support, the'cam carrier and its stitch cam, of devices mounted on said carrier andadapted to be actuated to increase the throw of the stitch cam, a headfor actuating said devices to effect the knitting of single slackcourses, and a ring or abutment adjacent to said head, for actuatingsaid devices to knit a series of medium slack courses, together withpattern mechanism for operating said head and ring or abutment atpredetermined intervals, thread reinforcing devices and patternmechanism for operating the same simultaneously with the medium slackcourse controlling devices; substantially as described.

9. In a knitting machine, the combination with the needle Support, thecam carrier and its cam, of a reciproeative V-shaped device throughwhich the main knitting threads and an additional or reinforcing threadextend, means for sustaining said device, and means for operating thesame to press the threads closely together, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in thepresence of two subscribin g witnesses.

OLIVER WILSON. Witnesses:

JOHN R. NoLAN, WM. F. BALLINGER.

